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Australian campsites: free spots vanish as 'ghost camping' rises

22.07.2026 11:25 1 min 2 sources
thesenior.com.au ENG + 1 more
Australian campsites: free spots vanish as 'ghost camping' rises
Original source: thesenior.com.au

In Brief

Thousands of free campsites in Australia are turning paid, threatening the lifestyle of travelling retirees. Meanwhile, a 'ghost camping' trend sees spots booked weeks ahead but left empty.

Free campsites under threat

Thousands of free campsites in Australia are turning paid, threatening the lifestyle of travelling retirees. Experienced traveller 'Outback Mike' Atkinson notes that finding free spots is becoming harder, especially on the east coast of New South Wales. In response, The Senior has compiled a list of free campsites nationwide.

'Ghost camping' ahead of holidays

An Australian couple warns of a 'ghost camping' trend where tourists book prime waterfront spots weeks in advance, leaving motorhomes and caravans empty. According to operator Camps Australia Wide, the issue peaks during holidays in popular regions like the Western Australia coast and Queensland national parks. In Tocumwal National Park, New South Wales, only two of 15 trailers by the river were in use.

Aggregated by OpenVan.camp from the public sources listed below, with AI-assisted translation and summary. We always link to the original source. Machine translation may differ from the original -- check the source for important details. Images and content remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright information

Story sources

Free camp spots well-travelled grey nomads don't want you to know about

22.07.2026 thesenior.com.au ENG Original source

Aussie couple warn against 'ghost' campervan trend after frustrating trend ramps up ahead of Christmas - 9News.com.au

10.12.2025 9news.com.au ENG Original source

🇦🇺 Australia — fuel prices

Updated: 25.07.2026

Unleaded 91

$1.32 /l

AUD1.89 · €1.16/l

59 of 140

cheaper than 59% of countries

Premium 95

$1.44 /l

AUD2.07 · €1.27/l

42 of 94

cheaper than 56% of countries

Premium 98

$1.51 /l

AUD2.16 · €1.33/l

12 of 24

cheaper than 54% of countries

Diesel

$1.60 /l

AUD2.29 · €1.41/l

82 of 141

pricier than 57% of countries

Premium Diesel

$1.62 /l

AUD2.32 · €1.43/l

11 of 41

cheaper than 76% of countries

LPG

$1.02 /l

AUD1.46 · €0.90/l

36 of 55

pricier than 64% of countries

E85

$1.73 /l

AUD2.47 · €1.52/l

6 of 6

pricier than 83% of countries

Cheapest on the map

Popular route

Distance

Fuel cost

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Est. time

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Best regions in the coming days

Queensland +23°·23 km/h
90
Western Australia +26°·44 km/h
88
New South Wales +18°·20 km/h
82
South Australia +16°·10 km/h
72
Victoria +15°·27 km/h
69
Avoid now
Tasmania +13°·43 km/h
63

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